President Obama presented the Presidential Citizens Medal to the families of Principal Dawn Hochsprung, school psychologist Mary Sherlach, and teachers Lauren Rousseau, Victoria Soto, Rachel Davino and Anne ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

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President Barack Obama presents Terri Rousseau and Gilles Rousseau; with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their daughter Lauren Rousseau in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. First grade teacher Lauren Rousseau was killed during a mass shooting that left 26 people dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "Their selflessness and courage inspire us all to look for opportunities to better serve our communities and our country," Obama said about this year's recepients. less

President Barack Obama presents Terri Rousseau and Gilles Rousseau; with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their daughter Lauren Rousseau in the East ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Photo By Chip Somodevilla/Getty

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U.S. President Barack Obama presents Donna and Carlos Soto Sr. with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their daughter Victoria Soto in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. First grad teacher, Victoria Soto was killed during a mass shooting that left 26 people dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "Their selflessness and courage inspire us all to look for opportunities to better serve our communities and our country," Obama said about this year's recepients. less

U.S. President Barack Obama presents Donna and Carlos Soto Sr. with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their daughter Victoria Soto in the East Room ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Photo By Chip Somodevilla/Getty

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Bill Sherlach blows a kiss skyward as U.S. President Barack Obama presents him and daughters Katy Sherlach and Maura Lynn Schwartz with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their wife and mother Mary Sherlach in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. School psychologist Mary Sherlach was killed during a mass shooting that left 26 people dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "Their selflessness and courage inspire us all to look for opportunities to better serve our communities and our country," Obama said about this year's recepients. less

Bill Sherlach blows a kiss skyward as U.S. President Barack Obama presents him and daughters Katy Sherlach and Maura Lynn Schwartz with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Photo By Chip Somodevilla/Getty

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President Barack Obama greets Gillis Rousseau and Terri Rousseau, the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Lauren Rousseau, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, before presenting them with a 2012 Citizens Medal. less

President Barack Obama greets Gillis Rousseau and Terri Rousseau, the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Lauren Rousseau, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, ... more

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the parents of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, Donna and Carlos Soto, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, in Washington. less

President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the parents of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, Donna and Carlos Soto, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East ... more

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher's aide Rachel Davino, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher's aide Rachel Davino, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School school psychologist Mary Sherlach, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School school psychologist Mary Sherlach, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary Schoolteacher Anne Marie Murphy, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary Schoolteacher Anne Marie Murphy, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Hochsprung, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama presents a 2012 Citizens Medal to the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Hochsprung, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama wipes his eye he talks about the Sandy Hook teachers who were killed during the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, before presenting them posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. less

President Barack Obama wipes his eye he talks about the Sandy Hook teachers who were killed during the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, before presenting them posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press/Susan Walsh

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Donna Soto, mother of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, holds a cell phone with her daughter's picture on it while attending a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, where President Barack Obama presented the 2012 Citizens Medal Soto and others. less

Donna Soto, mother of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, holds a cell phone with her daughter's picture on it while attending a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, ... more

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press/Jacquelyn Marti

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President Barack Obama embraces Mary and Sarah D'Avino before presenting them with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their sister and daughter, Rachel D'Avino in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. Rachel D'Avino, a behavioral therapist, was killed during a mass shooting that left 26 people dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "Their selflessness and courage inspire us all to look for opportunities to better serve our communities and our country," Obama said about this year's recepients. less

President Barack Obama embraces Mary and Sarah D'Avino before presenting them with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their sister and daughter, ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Photo By Chip Somodevilla/Getty

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President Barack Obama presents Erica and Cheryl Lafferty with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their mother and daughter Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung was killed during a mass shooting that left 26 people dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "Their selflessness and courage inspire us all to look for opportunities to better serve our communities and our country," Obama said about this year's recepients. less

President Barack Obama presents Erica and Cheryl Lafferty with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, on behalf of their mother and daughter Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Photo By Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Image 19 of 27

President Barack Obama hugs the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School principal Dawn Hochsprung, before awarding her posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Accepting the award on behalf of Hochsprung is her daughter, Erica Lafferty, left, and mother, Cheryl Lafferty, center. less

President Barack Obama hugs the family of Sandy Hook Elementary School principal Dawn Hochsprung, before awarding her posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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President Barack Obama hugs the family of Rachel Davino, 29, who was a behavioral therapist at Sandy Hook Elementary, before presenting her posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Mary Davino, mother, is at left, and sister Sarah Davino, is at right. less

President Barack Obama hugs the family of Rachel Davino, 29, who was a behavioral therapist at Sandy Hook Elementary, before presenting her posthumously with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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The family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Anne Marie Murphy, daughters Paige and Colleen Murphy, and her husband Michael Murphy, accepts the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor, on her behalf posthumously from President Barack Obama, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. less

The family of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Anne Marie Murphy, daughters Paige and Colleen Murphy, and her husband Michael Murphy, accepts the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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President Barack Obama hugs Gilles Rousseau, father of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Lauren Rousseau, as her mother Terry Rousseau, watches at left during a ceremony to posthumously present their daughter with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. less

President Barack Obama hugs Gilles Rousseau, father of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Lauren Rousseau, as her mother Terry Rousseau, watches at left during a ceremony to posthumously present their ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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Carlos Soto, father of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, walks back to his seat after accepting posthumously for his daughter the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís second-highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. less

Carlos Soto, father of slain Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Victoria Soto, walks back to his seat after accepting posthumously for his daughter the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nationís ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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The Soto family poses beneath the White House portrait of Martha Washington after accepting the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal on behalf Victoria Soto, a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School and one of the victims of the Dec. 24 shooting massacre in Conn.. less

The Soto family poses beneath the White House portrait of Martha Washington after accepting the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal on behalf Victoria Soto, a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School and one of the ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo\Charles J. Lew, Contributed Photo

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Michael Murphy, with daughters Paige and Colleen, holds the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal after President Obama presented the award at the White House, to the late Anne Marie Murphy, killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. on Dec. 14, 2012. less

Michael Murphy, with daughters Paige and Colleen, holds the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal after President Obama presented the award at the White House, to the late Anne Marie Murphy, killed at Sandy Hook ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo\Charles J. Lew, Contributed Photo

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Michael Murphy with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal that President Obama presented to the late Anne Marie Murphy, killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. on Dec. 14, 2012.

Michael Murphy with the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal that President Obama presented to the late Anne Marie Murphy, killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. on Dec. 14, 2012.

Photo: Contributed Photo\Charles J. Lew, Contributed Photo

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Obama presents medals for slain Sandy Hook educators

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WASHINGTON -- President Obama honored the six women who were murdered two months ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School by presenting the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal to their families at an elegant White House ceremony Friday that mixed pride and sadness for the educators and jubilation for the 12 other winners.

"When they showed up for work at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14 of last year, they expected a day like any other -- doing what was right for their kids, spent a chilly morning readying classrooms and welcoming young students -- they had no idea that evil was about to strike.

"And when it did, they could have taken shelter by themselves. They could have focused on their own safety, on their own well being. But they didn't. They gave their lives to protect the precious children in their care. They gave all they had for the most innocent and helpless among us.

"Some had been at Sandy Hook Elementary School for only weeks; others were preparing to retire after decades of service. All worked long past the school bell to give the children in their care a future worth their talents.

"On Dec. 14, 2012, unthinkable tragedy swept through Newtown, etching the names of these six courageous women into the heart of our nation forever."

As a military aide called the individual names of the Sandy Hook honorees and read the citation explaining the honor for each, family members walked to the podium in the White House East Room, one family at a time.

There, beneath famed portraits of George Washington and Martha Washington, the president greeted them with handshakes and hugs and presented the medals, whispered a few words to them and posed for a photo.

As he ended the ceremony and congratulated the winners, Obama said: "A special note just to the families who are here from Sandy Hook. We are so blessed to be with you. I've gotten to know many of you during the course of some very difficult weeks.

"And your courage and love for each other and your communities shines through every single day. And we could not be more blessed and grateful for your loved ones who gave everything they had on behalf of our kids.

The 2012 President Citizens Medal was bestowed on people who "performed exemplary deeds of service for their community.'' The 18 winners honored Friday included famed pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton of Boston and Harris Wofford, former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania who was also a civil rights leader and early leader of the Peace Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Citizens Medal is the second-highest civilian honor awarded by the White House, behind the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Teresa Rousseau, an editor at The Advocate's sister paper, the News-Times, said the Newtown group got to visit Vice President Joe Biden's offices in the Eisenhower Building on Thursday night.

On Friday, she said, the group had breakfast in the White House, then toured the executive mansion before meeting with Obama prior to the medals ceremony.

"He told us this was one of his favorite things to do, because it honors ordinary people doing amazing things,'' Rousseau said.

As he has throughout his meetings with those connected with the Sandy Hook shooting, Obama became emotional during the ceremony.

"My son, Matthew, said he saw a tear roll down his cheek,'' Rousseau said. "It was very touching."

Rousseau said that after the ceremony, all the honorees had lunch in a room overlooking the White House Rose garden.

Later, Bill Sherlach said he would have preferred staying in "total obscurity" under the circumstances. He said he is taking life "one day at a time'' and has established the Fairfield County Family Foundation in honor of his slain wife. The foundation will focus on mental health issues, he said.

Michael Murphy said the medal belonged to his late wife as he proudly showed it to his two daughters and others.

Two of them, teacher Kristine Feda and custodian Rick Thorne, were in the school the morning of the massacre and their frantic efforts to warn others and to shepherd students to safety may have saved many other lives.